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HEAD PLAYERS PROTAGONISTS IN DAVIS CUP QUARTERS

April 6th, 2014

Andy Murray tested over three days of draining matches in a narrow 3-2 defeat for Britain by Italy in Naples. The Scot, who endorses the HEAD Graphene Radical, beat Andreas Seppi in opening singles and teamed with Colin Fleming to win the doubles point. The HEAD player was unable to secure a third weekend victory as he lost to Fabio Fognini 3-6, 3-6, 4-6 in front of an enthusiastic crowd which included several hundred British supporters. "It was a Davis Cup atmosphere. We don't get that on a day-to-day basis on the ATP Tour, but when you play away from home you get that," said Murray.

HEAD players dominated on the German team which lost a tough 3-2 decision to France in Nancy. Racquet Rebel Tobias Kamke, who recommends the HEAD Graphene Prestige, went 1-1 for the weekend, beating Julien Benneteau but losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. But the biggest surprise was reached by HEAD's Peter Gojowczyk, who endorses the HEAD Graphene Prestige, an opening-day winner over ATP No. 12 Tsonga 5-7, 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(8), 8-6. "Of course it's my best result," said the No. 119. "This, in the Davis Cup, is amazing. You're playing for your country and that's so motivating. You just keep going, doesn't matter what's going on."

In Tokyo the Czech Republic started in a 5-0 sweep of Japan, with 35-year-old Radek Stepanek winning his opening tie and combining in doubles with Lukas Rosol to claim that point also. Stepanek fired 18 aces in singles against Tatsuma Ito, winning in just under four hours. "Sometimes you have to find a way through. Today was a day like that and I am very happy that I was able to bring the first point," said the winner.

A pair of Racquet Rebels made Kazakhstan proud in the tie against Switzerland which was not over until the fifth rubber in favour of the Swiss in Geneva, 3-2. Andrey Golubev, who recommends the HEAD Graphene Radical, upset Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka on opening day and also won a doubles point. "All you can do when playing two of the best guys in the world is try your best, try everything possible and see what happens," said Golubev after the doubles win. "Against them you have to play almost the perfect match." Teammate Mikhail Kukushkin, promoting the HEAD Graphene Speed, faced both Roger Federer and Wawrinka.